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For nearly two decades, Veterans and their families from across the country have come to BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center to participate in their innovative Veterans programming. The Veterans program was established in 2007, by BraveHearts co-founder and Korean War Veteran Dr. Rolf Gunnar and today, thousands of Veterans benefit from their services annually.

BraveHearts offers Veterans a wide array of customized recreational, therapeutic, vocational, and volunteer services. Several unique offerings include the annual Trail to Zero ride, which travels through major cities raising awareness about Veteran suicide prevention; gentling wild mustangs through their Operation Mustang program; and drill teams, retreats, and horse shows. These recreational programs are typically what first draws a Veteran into the BraveHearts community; later, they often become more open to participating in other healing programs, such as Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. For the past decade, BraveHearts has worked to not only establish at least one new Veterans program annually, but also to serve as a leader in identifying best practices within this specific aspect of equine-assisted services.

The staff at BraveHearts is constantly on the lookout for horses who might be a good fit for their programming. Not so long ago, BraveHearts president and CEO, Meggan Hill-McQueeney, learned about an older bay Quarter Horse gelding who, in younger days, had taken his owner to the World Series of Team Roping. When Hill-McQueeney met the gelding, the horse locked his eyes and ears on her, carried himself humbly, and the way he gently moved his feet, all showed her he was something special. Hill-McQueeney purchased him on the spot.

Once he arrived in Illinois, the gelding was rechristened with the name “Power,” in honor of his size, his kindness, and the huge heart he shared with everyone he met. When he was well enough, Power entered training; he soon impressed with his caring and trusting demeanor, willingness to try, and patience. From roping, to parades, to carrying the flag, to working with Veterans, children and adults, Power excelled in everything he did.

Once he officially joined the BraveHearts equine herd staff, Power soon found a particular niche within the Veterans offerings. He is the horse most trusted to travel to site visits to Veteran Community Outreach events, where he must remain safe and reliable in a new environment, around large crowds and Veterans of all abilities. Power has been on numerous Trail to Zero rides, often carrying the least experienced of participants. Recently, Power even helped teach therapists how to use hippotherapy as a treatment strategy at an American Hippotherapy Association training.

“When I started riding Power this last spring, I realized how much fun I could have trotting,” said Sherri, a US Navy veteran who has been riding at BraveHearts for several years. “My confidence has gone from okay to, ‘anything is possible.’”

Mitchell Reno started at BraveHearts as a participant, then became a volunteer, and now works as a Veteran Instructor. Recently, he was working with a group of Veterans who were grooming Power and a few other horses, when an impactful moment of connection brought Reno full circle.

“I couldn’t help but to lock eyes with Power,” said Reno. “I looked right at him, with the guys standing around, and Power looked deep into me with his head laid low and I felt something in my heart that compelled me to speak up.”

Reno believes that Power connected with him in that moment to encourage him to share his own story, in hopes of helping reach the men and women there that day. He shared with the group that he knew exactly where they were coming from, because he had been there himself.

“Whenever I came out to the farm and I started spending time with my four-legged friends, they met me exactly where I was at, each and every time,” Reno told the Veterans. “Their consistency, honesty, and companionship were a breath of fresh air that I hadn’t breathed since before going to combat. They showed me how to be a better friend, a better human, more honest, and more grateful than I had ever been. I hope they do the same for all y’all.”

Staff say that Power might just be one of the best horses they have ever had. He is a gentleman, a professional in every single way, and has earned all of their trust and hearts.